Collapsible stretcher.



No. 640,293. Patented Jan. 2, I900. C. FREULEB.

COLLAPSIBLE STRETCHER.

(Application filed Aug. 4, 1899.) (No Model.) 2 SheetsSheet l.

Patented Jan. 2, I900. C. FREULER.

m 1 E4 R- Tw SA EM -fl m St m 1 m m 0 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

(JASPAR FREULER, OF ZURICH, SWITZERLAND.

@OLLAPSHBLE STRETCH ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 640,293, dated January 2, 1900. Application filed August I, 1899. Serial No. 726,209. (No model.)

To all wiwnt it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GASPAR FREULER, a citizen of the Republic of Switzerland, residing at Zurich, Switzerland, have invented new and useful Improvements in Collapsible Stretchers, (for which I have applied for patents in Switzerland, dated May 9, 1899; in Germany, dated May 19, 1899; in Austria, dated May 17, 1899; in Hungary, dated May 19, 1899; in Italy, dated May 17, 1899; in I rance,dated May 20, 1899; in Belgium, dated May 18, 1899; in Spain, dated May 25, 1899; in Portugal, dated May 26, 1899; in England, dated May 19, 1899, No. 10,572; in Russia, dated May 28, 1899; in Sweden, dated May 20, 1899; in Norway, dated May 23, 1899, and in Denmark, dated May 18, 1899,) of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved collapsible stretcher the sides and ends of which are formed in lazy-tongs fashion and secured to four posts. I attain this object by the means illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side view, Fig. 2 a plan, Fig. 3 an end view, and Fig. 4. a cross-section, of the stretcher when extended. Figs. 5 and 6 are a side view and plan, respectively, of the stretcher when collapsed; and Figs. 7, 8, 9, and 10 details on an enlarged scale.

Similar letters refer to similar parts through out the several views.

In carrying out my invention and referring to the figures generally, a and a are the sides, I) the head, and b the foot, of the stretcher formed of lazy-tongs links 0, the outer lower ends a of which are articulated to the posts (1 to (Z while the upper ends 0 are secured to the posts d to (Z when the stretcher is extended by means of removable pins 6. The upper joints of the lazy-ton gs links at the sides a and 0. are furnished with slotted eyes f, which serve for the reception of the thickened edges 9 and g of a stretcher-canvas g or net 9 and permits of the latter sliding therein. The

canvas g or net 9 is secured to the head I) by the eyes g and which are hooked onto the pillars h ]L2 and straps and buckles 72. and to the foot 11 by straps and buckles 7L4 only,

the said pillars being rendered vertically movable. The sides a and a are stayed by means of the tongs c' and pins 2', which pre vent the sides a and a being drawn together when the canvas 9 or net g is weighted. The

tongs t is retained in an extended position by means of the hook Into the posts (1 to d are secured in bayonet-joint fashion Zthe handles it to 76. The projection Z of the handles and 70 also re tains the pillars h and 71,2 in their upper position, which cause the canvas or net to incline from the eyes f and f to the head I), so as to serve as a pillow. After having removed the pins e,handles 7t" to kflpushed down the pillars h and 72/ and removed the hook 2' the stretcher can be collapsed to the size of a military knapsack by pressing the same together length and side wise, and being made of comparatively light material it is very suitable for military and similar purposes.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A collapsible stretcher consisting of a frame formed of lazy-tongs a, a 11, Z2 the lower ends 0 of which are articulated to posts (1 to cl and the upper ends secured to the posts d to d by means of removable pins 6, all substantially as set forth.

2. In a collapsible stretcher, the lazy-tongs cross-stay t, placed on pins 2" and retained in an extended position by a hook '5 all substantially as set forth.

3. In a collapsible stretcher, the pillars 7t, 7L2 rendered vertically movable on the posts cl, d of the head I) which support the supporting fabric at an incline to serve as a pillow, all substantially as set forth.

1. In a collapsible stretcher, the handles 7t to k placed into the posts d to (l and secured therein in bayonet-joint fashion, all substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two witnesses.

OASPAR FREULER.

WVitnesses:

WM. A. STEINMANN, E. STEIGA DIEz'rHEY. 

